Compare Trade Careers
Side-by-side comparison of HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing. Salary data, demand outlook, and what it takes to get started.
Salary Comparison
| Category |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Pay | $18–24/hr | $18–24/hr | $17–22/hr |
| Mid Level Pay | $25–38/hr | $28–42/hr | $24–38/hr |
| Senior Level Pay | $35–48/hr | $38–62/hr | $30–55/hr |
| Avg Annual Salary | $52,000–$75,000 | $58,000–$85,000 | $50,000–$72,000 |
| Growth Rate | 6% | 6% | 5% |
| Key Certification | EPA 608 | Journeyman License | State License |
| Apprenticeship | 3–5 years | 4–5 years | 4–5 years |
| Top Hiring Markets | Houston TX · Phoenix AZ · Atlanta GA | Dallas TX · San Francisco CA · Denver CO | New York NY · Philadelphia PA · Austin TX |
| Job Demand | High | Very High | High |
| Browse HVAC Jobs | Browse Electrical Jobs | Browse Plumbing Jobs |
HVAC
- Entry Pay
- $18–24/hr
- Mid Pay
- $25–38/hr
- Senior Pay
- $35–48/hr
- Annual Salary
- $52,000–$75,000
- Growth
- 6%
- Certification
- EPA 608
- Apprenticeship
- 3–5 years
- Demand
- High
Electrical
- Entry Pay
- $18–24/hr
- Mid Pay
- $28–42/hr
- Senior Pay
- $38–62/hr
- Annual Salary
- $58,000–$85,000
- Growth
- 6%
- Certification
- Journeyman License
- Apprenticeship
- 4–5 years
- Demand
- Very High
Plumbing
- Entry Pay
- $17–22/hr
- Mid Pay
- $24–38/hr
- Senior Pay
- $30–55/hr
- Annual Salary
- $50,000–$72,000
- Growth
- 5%
- Certification
- State License
- Apprenticeship
- 4–5 years
- Demand
- High